|
|
|
|
Meet our Resident Raptors
|
|
These wonderful photos of the Ojai Raptor Center residents are the work of photographer, M. KIM FAUST, who is a graduate of the Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara. After many years in business and hospital administration, she is pursuing a career that combines portrait and nature photography.
|
|
|
|
Bald Eagle
"Juneau"
Juneau came to ORC from Alaska in 2004. She is blind in one eye and can no longer hunt successfully in the wild. She has become a wonderful asset as an Ambassador Bald Eagle in ORC's Wildlife Education Program.
Juneau enjoys swimming in a local pond.
|
|
|
|
Barnie was kept as a pet, and as a result, imprinted on her keeper. She came to us after her keeper turned her over to be "fixed". Humans should avoid developing bonds with birds through feeding and other activities. They become socially dependent on us, which greatly reduces their chances in the wild. Barnie is a big help at the Center, feeding young barn owls that might otherwise imprint on rehabilitators. Not all imprinted birds provide that quality of care.
|
|
|
|
|
American Kestrel - Falco sparverius
|
|
|
Romeo and Juliet failed to thrive in the wild. We think Juliet was hit by a car and suffered damage to her central nervous system. She doesn't fly very well, ending up on the ground a lot. Romeo is quite old for a kestrel. He won't feed himself, so we hand-feed him every day. Juliet is one year old. We don't know Romeo's age.
Listen to a Kestrel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Romeo" & "Juliet" - Nonreleasable
|
|
|
Great Horned Owl - Bubo virginianus
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dakota and Luna are Great Horned Owls that have imprinted on humans. Every year we receive several birds that have been kept in captivity during the critical imprint stage when they should be forging connections with their own species. We will never be able to release Dakota and Luna because they will approach people when hungry. Imagine one landing on your shoulder to share your ice cream! Also, because they do not relate to other Great Horned Owls, they would probably never find mates. Dakota is seven years old. They will live to about 35 years in captivity.
|
|
|
|
|
Swainson's Hawk - Buteo Swainsoni
|
|
|
|
|
Kramer came to us from a raptor rehabilitation facility in Nebraska with a wing fracture that had never healed properly. ORC networks with other educators and rehabilitators to place ambassador education candidates. We were happy to receive Kramer, as his personality is an asset to our continuing education presentations. Kramer is two years old.
|
|
|
Prairie Falcon - Falco mexicanus
|
|
|
|
|
This female Prairie Falcon was found in Bend, Oregon with a fractured wing. She developed a condition called "bumblefoot" after surgical repair of the wing was unsuccessful.
Unnamed" - Nonreleasable
|
|
|
|
|
|
Peregrine Falcon - Falco peregrinus
|
|
|
|
|
Sophia was bred in captivity for use in falconry. During her first year, she broke her leg in an accident with a mail truck. Her leg healed, but not at the right angle, which rendered her unsuitable for hunting. Sophia was given to ORC when she was seven years old to be used as an education ambassador. We asked an orthopedic veterinarian to straighten her leg, but as a result of her injury, her talons had permanently curved under. Sophia shares an aviary with a fellow Peregrine named Traveler. Sophia is 13 years old.
|
|
|
Ferruginous Hawk - Buteo regalis
|
|
|
|
|
While migrating through the Ojai area, Jackson was hit by a car, which broke both of his wings. A veterinarian set them, but one did not heal completely. Jackson further injured himself when he tried to escape a wire cage he had been placed in. This took off the top of his cere, which will never regenerate. Raptors should never been kept in wire cages because they can damage their beaks and feathers. Jackson is 18 years old.
|
|
|
|
"Jackson" - Nonreleasable
|
|
|
|
|
|
Harris Hawk - Parabuteo unicinctus
|
|
|
|
"Rio" and "Rebel" - Nonreleasable
|
|
|
|
Rio and Rebel came to us from an Arizona rehabilitator. Rio had been shot in the wing, which had to be amputated, and Rebel had flown into a building and broken his wing, which healed badly. Harris Hawks are very social birds, so we took the two as a pair to ensure they'd be happier in captivity. Rio is 3 years old, Rebel is 5.
|
|
|
Golden Eagle - Aquila chrysaetos
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shytan was found by a Fish and Game Warden near the base of a power line guy wire along with his severed wing. Shytan's age is unknown, but has been in captivity for 12 years. This is a bird you will rarely see in the wild.
|
|
|
|
|
Western Screech Owl -Otus kennicotti
|
|
|
"Forest" - Nonreleasable
Forest came to us as a baby. He'd been found by a camper, who kept him long enough to have him imprint. Forest does not recognize other Screech Owls as members of his species. He is socially dependent on humans instead of his own kind. Though an imprinted bird may be able to fly and hunt, they're unafraid of humans and will approach them when hungry
|
|
|
|
|
Merlin - Falco columbaris
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merlins follow the migration of White Crowned Sparrows from Canada, sometimes getting into trouble when they pursue them and other songbirds into people's backyards. A backyard birder shot Merlin, whose wing had to be amputated at the shoulder.
"Merlin"
Nonreleasable
|
|
|
|
|
|
Red-Tailed Hawk - Buteo jamaicensis
|
|
|
|
|
Sasquatch was held for months in a small cage and fed an improper diet by someone who did not know how to care for a raptor. His wings and legs were broken and he could not stand. We made a special harness for him to hang in while undergoing physical therapy five times a day. After six weeks, he was able to perch on his own, but he will never again be able to fly. Sasquatch is an excellent education ambassador, helping to demonstrate the need to handle injured birds of prey correctly. He has been in our care for seven years. Life exptectancy is 25-30 years.
|
|
Red-Shouldered Hawk - Buteo lineatus
|
|
|
|
This Red-Shouldered hawk is a rehabilitation bird. She was shot in the wing, but not injured seriously enough to keep her in captivity for long. We released her on October 27, 2001; she flew beautifully.
Unnamed
Released
Listen to a Red Shouldered Hawk
|
|
|
OJAI RAPTOR CENTER (ORC) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation, licensed by California State Fish & Game and U.S. Federal Fish & Wildlife. The Center is funded entirely through private donations.
|
|
